Cocky

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /ˈkɒki/

Definitions

1. Exhibiting an overly confident or arrogant attitude that may seem disrespectful to others
2. Displaying a bold self-assurance that can come across as boastful or presumptuous
3. Showing a brash confidence that suggests a belief in one's superiority or abilities

Etymology: The image behind "cocky" is the barnyard rooster. "Cock" is the male domestic chicken, and the adjective is formed by adding the suffix "-y", which in this case signals "having the quality of". A cock struts, puffs out its chest and crows at all comers, so a person who swaggers with self-assurance is said to be acting like one. The sense is strutting self-importance rather than real achievement. The word is a straightforward formation on an existing English noun, so there is no separate borrowed history behind it. Its meaning rests on the bird's familiar behaviour, which is why the image of a rooster on a fence post still lies beneath the term.

Synonyms: arrogant, conceited, haughty, overconfident, proud

Antonyms: humble, modest, meek